Bloody Proprietary Connectors
I came across this video rant by David L. Jones on the EEVblog concerning proprietary cables on consumer devices. I agree with him completely. Warning: some language not suitable for kids.
Unfortunately, if you look at ham radio gear, we are in even worse shape than the consumer market. Heck, even the freaking microphone connectors are unique to each manufacturer.
It is all for MONEY MONEY MONEY. They make you buy a different cord so they can collect their 95 percent profit on a piece of wire with molded plugs on each end. Their marketers are laughing all the way to the bank. I think they have a contest to see who can screw the consumer the best.